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Department of Biomedical Research
Laboratory of Virology and Vaccinology
1．Key Members
- Project leader - Yasuko Mori
- Researchers - Masaya Takemoto, Tetsurou Koshizuka
- Special Research Fellow - Prany Sombuntam
- Collaborating researchers - Kenjiro Tadagaki, Hiroki Yoshii, Yoshiaki Yamagishi
- Graduate students - Tomohiko Sadaoka, Tan Hua Min
- Technical assistants - Misa Kinoshita, Eiko Moriishi
- Secretary - Youko Monobe
2．Background and objectives
In addition to existing vaccines, the development of novel vaccines is desired to combat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. The development of novel drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases is also essential. We carry out basic research for the development of new vaccines and antiviral drugs to suppress viral infections with an emphasis on research into the characteristics of the herpesviruses.
3．Overview of our research
- Analysis of host immunity and the functions induced by human herpesvirus 6, which can be transmitted by immune cells
- Elucidation of the mechanisms of invasion of herpesviruses into host cells, viral particle formation, and budding
- Research for the development of new generation polyvalent vaccines using recombinant herpesvirus
4．Overview of our research
I．Basic research on vaccine development
A．Development of promoters
As is seen for cytomegalovirus （human herpesvirus 5）, herpesvirus contains a number of promoters. Promoters from human herpesviruses 6 and 7 that are strongly activated in immune cells may affect these cells very strongly. We plan to investigate the promoters from these viruses by analyzing their functions with the goal of developing more powerful vaccine promoters.
B．Study of the induction of host immunity
In general, micro-organisms induce the natural immunity system, and adjuvants take advantage of this characteristic. We are carrying out fundamental research for the development of new adjuvants by investigating the immune reactions induced in hosts by viral infections at the molecular level.
II．Applications of the research for vaccines
We intend to develop polyvalent vaccines based on herpesviruses that are effective against multiple viruses.
III．Fundamental research on antiviral drug development
Existing antiviral drugs are primarily inhibitors of viral DNA replication. We focus on identifying factors involved in the invasion and budding of viruses to research and develop antiviral drugs that can regulate these processes.
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